Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some commonly asked questions, to which answers have been supplied. If you would like to ask one of our experts a question simply contact us.

Altus is...

Altus is a leader in window and door design, supporting the Nulook Licensee network with IT systems, Tooling, Manufacturing and Marketing support. Nulook is a registered trademark of Altus NZ Limited.

Where can I view Nulook products?

Most Fabricators have comprehensive showrooms, or can direct you to view jobs they have finished. Please view the Licensee Contact Section for further information. Or alternatively contact your local Nulook Licensee for further details.

What is WeatherTight™?

Weathertight™ is a new residential suite from Nulook. WeatherTight™ includes the latest in design technology to provide reliable high quality attractive joinery for homeowners.

The WeatherTight™ range includes a full range of windows, doors, bifolds, and sliders; in fact for almost anything you or your architect can dream of for your home there's a Nulook solution.

Why WeatherTight™?

Leaky buildings have prompted changes to building practices. Nulook's suite has been designed to significantly reduce the likelihood of weather related building problems occuring within window and door joinery. Homeowners are guaranteed the highest quality joinery without question.

Condensation - What is it?

When the air outside is saturated it rains. When the air indoors is saturated we get condensation.

For each air temperature there is a limit to the amount of water vapour the air can hold. When that limit is reached the air is saturated. Indoors, condensation forms when moisture-laden air comes into contact with a cooler surface. This cooler surface, often walls or windows, chills the air, causing water to fall out of it and accumulate as moisture.

How to reduce condensation?

New homes are usually well sealed and insulated and do not naturally breathe as much as older homes. This often means they are more prone to condensation problems. Below are a number of condensation management options:

Ventilation: Simply open windows a little, even on dull days, to create some natural ventilation. Opening windows on opposite sides of the house creates a very effective cross-air flow, removing excess moisture and introducing fresh air into the house

Vents:Passive vents that allow secure airflow when the house is closed are a good option

Installed ventilation systems: Installed ventilation systems operate by the ducting warm air from the attic space, via a fan and an optional electric heater, down into the living areas of the house by way of ceiling outlets

Dehumidifiers: Dehumidifiers remove moisture from the air by lowering the relative humidity. Reducing humidity levels decreases the likelihood of condensation forming

How crucial is sill support & installing sill support bars?

Sill support has always been a crucial part of window installation, but is often overlooked. The detrimental effects of not having sill support bars, are not immediate but usually manifest themselves over a period of time, and hence we see an indifference to using them.

Most joinery is fixed to the building framing, through the jamb liners thereby creating a cantilevered action. This action stresses the corners, mullion joints, frame/liner connection, and eventually compromises their integrity, and in turn the integrity of the whole window system. With Double Glazing becoming more common place, the weight is practically doubled and the problem is further compounded . The combination now of both double glazing and cavities becoming the norm, the stresses placed on joinery have increased.

With this in mind, all windows and doors, irrespective of their size and construction/cladding type must have sill support.

What is Low E/Argon-filled glass and how does it work?

Low E (Emissivity) Glass is glass with a transparent metallic oxide coating applied onto or into a glass surface. The coating allows short-wave energy to pass through, but reflects long-wave infrared energy which improves the U-Value.

Argon Gas is an odorless, colorless, tasteless, non-toxic gas which is six times more dense than air. It is used to replace air between the glass panes to reduce temperature transfer.

How to make sure your windows & doors open, close, lock and unlock easily for years to come

Don’t you love how easily your Nulook windows and doors open and close? Keep them operating smoothly by performing these steps:

Vacuum dirt from sill and track areas regularly, and before each washing

Check to make certain that drainage holes are clear of dirt or obstructions. Drainage holes can be found outside the window or door in the bottom of the frame. Use a small, soft bottlebrush to clear openings. Note: If the window is “stacked”, there may be weep holes between units

Moving parts in hardware components and tracks and rollers should be lubricated regularly. In salt-air environments, this can mean at least monthly

Check weatherstripping around operable window and door panels to be sure it seals evenly

Adjust sliding door rollers for proper height clearances. Most door rollers can be adjusted with a screwdriver through access holes in either the end or side of the sliding panel at the bottom. Be sure to lift the panel to take the weight off of the roller during roller adjustment

After making roller adjustments, it may be necessary to also make adjustments in the lock strike placement. Most strikes may be adjusted by loosening screw fasteners, moving strike plate and retightening. Check for proper lock operation.

If you require further help please contact your local Nulook Licensee 0508 800 755.